Townsend’s Knights Of Columbus Donate Tootsie Roll Funds To Big Sky Autism Project
Author: Monique Prevel, Executive Director & Lead Coach, Big Sky Autism Project
Townsend’s Knights of Columbus Donate Tootsie Roll Funds to Big Sky Autism Project
Monique Prevel
Executive Director & Lead Coach, Big Sky Autism Project
The Townsend Knights of Columbus are an active group boasting of some 42 members including Jerry Solwey who has been a member for 38 years. Jerry is the State Chairman of the Tootsie Roll Program for the Knights of Columbus.
What is the Tootsie Roll Program you may ask? Jerry and his fellow Knights of Columbus provide tootsie rolls to the public for a donation. The tootsie rolls are provided by the State of Montana Charities to each chapter of the Knights of Columbus. The Townsend chapter put Tootsie Rolls and donation cans out at local businesses with information about the program. The public can make a donation in the amount they choose and help support the Knights of Columbus’ mission to help local non-profits that serve disabled individuals.
At the end of the year, Jerry calculates the total donations collected from the donation cans at Townsend businesses and the chapter votes on a local non-profit to support. 80% of the total proceeds go to the non-profit chosen by the chapter with 20% going back to the State for the purchase of the tootsie rolls and cost shipping.
This year, Big Sky Autism Project (BSAP), a local non-profit dedicated to providing adaptive fitness programs to individuals with special needs, was the lucky recipient of the Tootsie Roll Program funds. Jerry presented a check for $184.50 to BSAP on Friday, February 28, 2025.
BSAP is thankful for the generosity of the Townsend Knights of Columbus in choosing our organization to receive their hard-earned donations. Every donation to BSAP helps us pursue our mission of providing adaptive fitness programs to special needs, training coaches, community outreach, education, and advocacy for one of the most vulnerable populations within our community. Special thanks to Jerry for his dedication and persistence in reaching out to me to receive the donation on behalf of BSAP.
The new season for the Tootsie Roll Program will start in May and continue through the end of the year. If you would like to donate to the Townsend Knights of Columbus or if you are a local business that would like to host the Tootsie Roll Program, please contact Jerry Solwey at 406-422-9762 for more information.
If you would like to know more about the Townsend Knights of Columbus, you can reach out to Jerry or go online to https://www.kofc.org.
To learn more about BSAP, please go to https://www.BigSkyAutismProject.org or call 406-461-5656.
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PhotoCredit: Rachael Brug
Image 1 Caption: Big Sky Autism Project Monique Prevel receives donation from the Knights of Columbus
Photo Credit: Rachael Brug
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